COW Meeting

Brandywine Heights residents angry about the district’s tax rate the highest in Berks County at 26.15 mills again vented their frustrations to the school board Monday.
Some of the more than 45 people at the tense meeting shouted at the board during the public-comment period.

“Our votes don’t count,” yelled one father, angry because Brandywine schools don’t provide supplies such as colored pencils and markers to grade-school students. MORE Or
after today

Come On People

Can't anyone around here follow simple directions. It was asked that everyone would only post positive ideas for one week. Is that too much to ask?

County Wide Plan

The following is a breakdown of the school districts in the county, showing their tax base, their millage rates, revenue raised from propery taxes and how much per student. Brandywine is slightly above the county average in $/student but below the average in the $/WADM. WADM (weighted Avg. Daily Membership) is the method by which the state reimburses the districts. It is a weighted average giving more weight to MS/HS students because of the increased cost of educating those students. Brandywine currently has a large population of those students which raises our WADM value.



The following shows the results of how the districts would compare if their was a single county tax base and a one tax rate for everyone in the county and the funds distributed based on their enrollment. Using a millage rate of 18.56 there would be no change in the total amount of dollars raised and no change in the total mills collected. If districts wanted to keep their current level of spending they could raise taxes in their individual district as shown.



There would be a big shift in the individual district tax rate if they would continue to operate as they are currently. Overall there is a 5% reduction in taxes for the county as a whole. Brandywine taxes would drop over 20% why Wyomissing would either rise 25% or they could reevaluate their spending. Using this method there would be no rich or poor districts some with swimming pools and others that can't even afford water. Districts that have only one industry to support them would have other sources of income. Districts like Brandywine whose one trick pony tax base went and joined the circus would not be totally strapped and forced to rely on senior citizens to pay for the schools. This could be implemented a lot quicker and easier then either the sales tax or Slots for Tots plus it is a lot more of a known entity then any other proposal. Control of the local school districts would still remain under local control. The only thing that would keep it from passing is if there are more votes in the school district that would have to increase their taxes to support their spending then those who would have immediate relief.


[ADDED 11:43 If everyone in the county were taxed at the 18.65 millage rate some districts would have more then they needed. For example the Hamburg District would receive almost 5 million dollars then they normally would. The district could then decide what to do with the money. Give Seniors who have lived in their homes for a certain period of time a total rebate, increase the money spent on schools or just give every tax payer in the district a partial refund. The board could draw up the options and the citizens could decide which makes most sense for them. Districts like Brandywine would still send their citizens an additional bill for .72 mills but this is still a 20% reduction in today's taxes. ]


The Reading School District was left out of this example because how they operate and fund their schools is a whole different world.

Sales Tax Article in Reading Eagle

Today's Reading Eagle has an article on the proposal to eliminate the property tax in favor of a state wide 4% sales tax on all items along with increase in an income tax that communities could raise after taxpayer's approval. All school debt would be assumed by some anonymous bureaucracy in Harrisburg.

From last night's meeting it sounded to good to be true. No property tax and schools could be financed by everyone paying an extra $100 or so in sales tax.

First off once this is in-place they are going to find they are running short of cash and the tax will quickly rise above the 4%.

It is using static calculations for planning purposes, in that it is assumed that people's buying habits will not change when the taxes are put in place. Delaware is not that far away. A lot of people do come in from out of state to buy clothing but this just cuts down the incentive.

All control of the schools will be conceded to the state. Remember the Golden Rule those that have the gold make the rules. If you think it is hard to change a local school board try finding someone in Harrisburg to yell at. Pennsylvania is very diverse with large urban areas and small rural districts. Top down management with a one size fits all will be a disaster for public education in the state. Hope people noticed that the latest reform placed a lot of new burdens on the local board of directors but didn't reduce the State's ability to mandate costly expenses.

How is the sales tax going to be divided. Best guess where there are the most votes and that is not in your rural school districts. Just look at the latest gift from the state. Brandywine got squat besides the money where it's use was mandated by the state. It was somewhat beneficial to the students but really didn't help the local taxpayers because the money had to be spent on new items. Most of the list of approved uses required an increase in spending over multiple years like full day kindergarten but no guarantee that the money would be there after this one year.

Using the property tax for funding schools desperately needs repair but this is not the answer. When something sounds too good to be true it is and there is no free lunch.

What would be more useful is to have a county or regional property tax of around 10-15 mills based on the county/economic region tax base. The money would be divided on a per student basis, where students with special needs would receive more. If a district wanted to spend more for their particular needs then it would have to have voters in that district support. This would more level the playing field between the rich and poor districts. The base millage should be large enough so that senior citizens who have lived in their homes X number of years could even have their rates reduced or held constant. Schools would remain in local control and have a relatively constant source of income for long term planning. Some school districts would always have more but at least the entire budget would not have to come from their particular tax base.

Nearly 200 residents rallied against rising taxes in Brandywine Heights School District at a meeting Wednesday night in the Roy A. Master American Legion Post 217, Topton.
Floyd Falcone of Rockland Township organized the event because he said he’s fed up with escalating taxes in the district.

....

The district’s tax rate has risen nearly 50 percent since 1999-2000.
“It really hurts,” Falcone said. “This is killing us. If we don’t get any relief we’re going to have to sell our houses and move.”
The residents agreed and applauded often.
Kathy M. Duffy recently moved to Topton and said businesses moving into the area could help alleviate the tax burden.
“It’s sad for the people who are elderly,” she said. “It’s up to people like me to change this.”
Falcone said Wednesday’s meeting is the first of many.

...

He proposed forming committees to find ways to work with the school board and recently-hired Superintendent John P. Curtin, contact political leaders to find ways of lowering property taxes and review the role of former Superintendent Robert L. Gilly.
“We have to be active,” Falcone said. “We have to go to the school board meetings and tell them how we feel.” MORE

Two free lectures! A Gift from The Teaching Company

In honor of the upcoming Olympic games as they return to their ancient home in Athens, Greece, and to thank you for your continued support of The Teaching Company, we have commissioned two free, 30-minute lectures for you to enjoy. Join Teaching Company Professor and Greek history scholar Jeremy McInerney of the University of Pennsylvania as he presents The Olympics: From Ancient Greece to Athens, Parts 1 and 2.

On Charter Schools

"With some help from the New York Times big teacher unions last week launched an all-out attack on America's charter schools. The victims if the attack succeeds are likely to be our nations most disadvantaged minority children. For decades our nation has been grappling with a sad reality Too many minority children aren't learning. A major achievement gap exists in our schools between disadvantaged minority children and their more affluent peers. Massive spending increases haven't dented the problem. The solution is reform and accountability and charter schools are part of that solution. Unlike regular public schools which are dominated by teachers unions whose lobbyists sneer at accountability behind closed doors charter schools are accountable. As their name implies they have charters that can be revoked by their states if they fail at their missions."

MORE :

Harshness of red marks has students seeing purple

"When it comes to correcting papers and grading tests purple is emerging as the new red. If you see a whole paper of red it looks pretty frightening said Sharon Carlsona health and physical education teacher at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Northampton. Purple stands out but it doesn't look as scary as red."

...

Ruslan Nedoruban, who is entering seventh grade , said red markings on his papers make him feel "uncomfortable."

His mother, Victoria Nedoruban, who is taking classes to improve her English, said she thinks papers should be corrected in red.

"I hate red," she said. "But because I hate it, I want to work harder to make sure there isn't any red on my papers."

Red has other defenders. California high-school teacher Carol Jago, who has been working with students for more than 30 years, said she has no plans to stop using red. She said her students do not seem psychologically scarred by how she wields her pen. And if her students are mixing up "their," "there," and "they're," she wants to shock them into fixing the mistake.

"We need to be honest and forthright with students," Jago said. "Red is honest, direct, and to the point. I'm sending the message, 'I care about you enough to care how you present yourself to the outside world.' " MORE

Reading Eagle Article

Michael T. Babb, president of the Brandywine Heights Education Association, said the teachers union has not ruled out the possibility of a strike. “We are maintaining hope in the process, although you certainly have to look at other options as we get close to the school year,” he said. “A strike is not out of the question, and we are mobilizing,” Babb explained. “But they're going to (have to) push us to a strike. We're negotiating in good faith.”

Negotiators will meet Tuesday to decide how to proceed with the school year, Babb said, explaining that teachers could work under the terms of the expired contract if both sides agree.
....
Brandywine negotiations also began in January, and both sides said progress has been slow. The school board called for a mediator, who has attended about five of the seven negotiating sessions. School board member Michael Grossman, a member of the negotiating committee, said there are several outstanding issues, but the most significant are salary and health-care premiums. “As a board, we're doing all we can to bring resolution to these negotiations as quickly as we can,” Grossman said.

Babb said the inexperience of school board members and the lack of a superintendent have slowed negotiations. There was significant turnover on the school board after the November election. Also, the board only recently hired Dr. John P. Curtin as superintendent to replace Robert L. Gilly, who retired in April. James A. Gilmartin filled the spot in the interim.

Negotiations also are difficult this year because of a contentious budget season, Grossman said. Property taxes in Brandywine increased 7.6 percent in June to 26.15 mills, the highest tax rate in Berks County. “The board is very sensitive to the taxation situation within our district, and we're making every effort to make an equitable deal,” Grossman said. But Babb said negotiations would not be so tough if the school district had not built a $30.8 million high school. Property taxes have risen 5 mills since the project was approved in February 2000. “That taxed the district's resources a great degree,” Babb said of the school. “We understand what the residents are feeling, but at the same time we need to be fairly compensated,” he added. Contact reporter Yvonne M. Wenger at 610-371-5015 or ywenger@readingeagle.com.

Vouchers Benefit All

"Few question whether vouchers benefit the students who use them to leave failing public schools. A high-quality body of research has consistently shown that private schools will do a better job educating these underserved children. What is less widely appreciated is that vouchers are also proven to raise test scores in public schools as well.%0D%0AVoucher programs provide failing public schools with the incentives they need to improve. Under the current system%2C urban public schools don%27t have to worry too much about providing students with a quality education because their students have no real opportunity to leave. Vouchers force public schools to compete with private schools for their students%2C as well as the state funding those students generate%2C by providing a better education." MORE :

Quote of the Day

"Well, according to my research, the cost of raising a baby from birth to college is approximately seven hundred and eighty thousand dollars. Thanks to my actually selling a shoe last week, I'm proud to say we're now just short seven hundred eighty thousand dollars. Thank you. " - Al Bundy in Married With Children Memorable Quotes from "Married... with Children" (1987):

The Hill School

A little disagreement on the cost of The Hill School last night with an member of the audience once again saying it only cost $2,100 and a board member suggesting that he move his decimal over.

From The Hill School Web Page
For the 2003-2004 school year, the annual tuition is $30,500 for boarding students and $20,400 for day students. For boarders, the tuition charges cover all instruction, room and board, on-campus events, health services at the Health Center, and some athletic equipment. The charges for day students cover instruction and on-campus events, as well as lunch on every day except Sunday. Students must pay for their textbooks and supplies. Some elective courses, athletic activities, music instruction, and other programs also may require additional fees. The Admission Office can supply detailed information on all costs associated with an education at The Hill.

Tuition and fees

Board Meeting Tonight

There will be a special board meeting tonight at 7:00 in the Middle School. The purpose is to fill two teacher openings before the start of school.

Public schools seek private partners

"Maryland is joining a growing number of states by looking for private partners to help improve school facilities. A law that took effect July 1 allows Maryland's school systems to fund school construction and renovation projects using alternatives to traditional financing, which usually comes from the sale of bonds by public agencies to banks and investors.
Baltimore leaders are starting small. They recently began a campaign and a special fund, seeking the united support of city agencies, community groups and corporations to improve facilities.
'We're away from the wagging finger, and now we need to start swinging the hammer,' said Mayor Martin O'Malley. 'It's not all up to the school board; it's up to all of us.'" MORE:

Taxpayer Association Meeting

The initial Taxpayer Association Meeting will be held on August 25 at 7:30 PM in the American Legion Hall on Centre Avenue, Topton. To sign up for the Taxpayer Association call Floyd and Joan Falcone at 610-987-6897 or joanfalcone@aol.com or ffloydf@aol.com . More details can be found in this weeks Patriot.

Don't want to rain on anybody's parade but looking through the books and civil suit against the old board and Gilly is a big waste of time. People have already been there and have the T-Shirts. The books are fine they are constantly being audited. Maybe less money could have been spent or spent in different ways but it was spent and accounted for in a legal manner. As for a civil suit the law is pretty well stacked in favor of Superintendents and school boards. They did everything by the book as least as far as the law is concerned.

If you are wondering who is at fault for spending so much money on a new High School while two elementary schools are underutilized and in need of repair/replacement/consolidation that we can't afford look in the mirror.

Over the past few years there was seldom over 4 or5 people in attendance at any board meeting (Before we have whining on the discussion board about unable to attend YOU HAVE ACCESS TO A PHONE OR THE POST OFFICE call or write expressing your concerns.) This web site even forecast the current high tax rate years ago now is a little late to be complaining.

As for the sinkholes the geological company said they were a possibility. There is always something wrong with any potential site. When the school construction was under consideration there were people objecting because of environmental concerns or the building being too close or the wrong side of the train tracks. No one was objecting to the site because of possible sinkholes. Now everybody and his brother have become instant Sinkholeologist. Suddenly people are remembering tractors falling into holes in the area and other horror stories. Give it a rest the time to be a Cassandra on subsidence is long past.

At the last board meeting one person stood up and tried to give suggestions on how we could move on from here in a positive manner. The crowd was on her like a pack of wild dogs on a three legged calf. Mainly because she was new to the area. Maybe her ideas won't work or maybe they are not practical but at least she has been working to find ways to attract new tax paying sources to the district. So what if she may have a political agenda, one of the many accusations screamed at her. Why should that be a big concern if she can help lower the tax burden on the residents. The one person that had a positive out look and she was told to move back where she came from. She may be new but she has already been to more board meetings then 90% of the long time residents.

To the man in the audience that pointed to the board and yelled about being one of the people that pay their salaries. Dude get a grip you are not paying them one thin dime they volunteered to get yelled at for nothing. But don't worry about it most of them spent the last few years yelling at the old board so turn about is fair play.

It is time now to work together to face the problems and hopefully find solutions rather then waste everyone time hurling accusations. As for the current board and the incoming Superintendent in the words of Ronald Reagan "Trust but Verify".

Todays Sweepstakes

In thanks to all our readers and contributors you can be the winner of our grand prize if you can identify the difference in these two pictures; It may take a few minutes for the difference to be apparent but you will be amazed if you really concentrate.

Brandywine board hears concerns

"More than 100 school district residents, concerned about two recent sinkholes on the high school campus and the estimated $25,000 cost for repairs, wanted answers Monday night from the Brandywine Heights School Board" More

Congraulations To Robert Gilly

According to informaton at tonight board meeting our former Superintendent has recovered and has taken a position at D'Huy Construction. You may recall D'Huy was the general contractor for our 30 million dollar high school. Seems his first project is up to his usual standards.

Way to go Builder Bob!!

Reason Number 2 Why you should go to board meetings

The tax hike shouldn't have been a big surprise it has been forecaste for years. This web site was predicting a millage rate of 27 mills for the upcoming year back in 2000 which assumed a 4% historical growth a little higher then the 26.15 current budget.

For the school year 2000-2001 the millage rate was 18.5 or 1,850 for a hundred thousand home. Then the 4 year phase in for the new high school began.

2001-2002 -1 mill for HS
2002-2003 -1 mill for HS
2003-2004 - 2.6 for HS and new student support employees, new custodial/maintenance, contracts, insurance...
2004-2005 - 0.85 Final increase for HS.

Total due for the HS 5.45 mills this is in addition to other normal increases the distrct has faced. Average cost to homeonwer $545 for the HS. This cost is reflected in the current budget catagory 5110 Debt Services of over 3 million dollars. Each mill in the district brings in around $500,000.

For those of you looking to see why we have the highest tax rate in the county it is no big mystery or consipiracy. Take out the 5.4 for the high school and we have one of the lowest budgets in the county on a per student basis. With the high school we are 5th highest.

BRANDYWINE RANKING WITH AND WITHOUT NEW HS

Cheese Eating Surrunder Monkeys Wise Up

"Oo-la-la.
A pair of French nutritionists have given a spirited oui to McDonald's traditional 'Big Mac' and classic cheeseburger, declaring the American fare more healthy to eat than scandalously rich quiche and other traditional French dishes."Vive le 'Big Mac' :

Why You Need To Come To Board Meetings

It is important that you attend board meetings to offer your views on the different issues that confront the district. Not just to accuse the board members for being unfeeling crooks trying to drive seniors out of their homes but to bring your constructive thoughts. There is a good book on the wisdom of crowds in how dumb mobs beat smart CEOs. The Wisdom of Crowds: Why the Many Are Smarter Than the Few and How Collective Wisdom Shapes Business, Economies, Societies and Nations. Salon has a review of the book.

"The Wisdom of Crowds" James Surowiecki writes that groups can make great decisions. Not always -- the intelligence of a team, or of a much larger crowd, can be diminished if its members are not intellectually diverse, if its members do not make decisions independently of each other, and if the team is either too centralized or too decentralized. The network of open-source programmers who maintain Linux is an example of a group that gets things right; the team of NASA engineers that managed the space shuttle Columbia's last mission is one that got things disastrously wrong.

When a small group of people like the school board meet and only receive input from school administration it can lead to group think or the "echo chamber" effect resulting in bad decisions. However inflammatory rhetoric like "pushing through an inflated budget" doesn't help anyone. It only causes board members who know that wasn't the case at all to become defensive and cancels any good information that otherwise would be beneficial to everyone. For those who can't attend meetings hopefully we can have the approved minutes posted to the school web site, like the Kutztown district, so people can be informed without having to rely on the ever present rumor mill.